There was no mystery: Rice said on induction day that DeBartolo was his man.

DeBartolo, who owned the team for 23 years starting in 1977, is well rehearsed for the assignment. This marks his fourth time as a Hall of Fame presenter, following his ceremonies with Bill Walsh (Class of 1993), Joe Montana (2000) and Fred Dean (2008).

In announcement from the Hall of Fame today, DeBartolo said:

“It’s truly a great honor to present my dear friend Jerry Rice into the Hall of Fame. No player in pro football history dominated his position the way Jerry did, and it’s a privilege to be his presenter.”

The enshrinement ceremony will air live on ESPN and the NFL Network on Aug. 7 at 4 p.m. PT

Tickets for the ceremony are $30 each and can be purchased online at Profootballhof.com or by calling Turnstyles Ticketing (800) 913-9788. Special all-inclusive Fan Packages are also available.

Daniel Brown

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Jed had mentioned earlier this year that his uncle (Eddie D.) would assist him with the new 49ers stadium promotions. If true, could this lead to a permanent position for DeBartolo within the 49ers front office or at the very least, as a paid consultant? Or is there just to many big egos in the building for this to ever be practical?

Your thoughts….

Bubba in Fremont

I wish the late Bill Walsh was here to see Jerry inducted into the hall of fame. I’m sure he would’ve funny stories to tell about Jerry.

prima facie

Good choice. Jerry Rice is one of the last links to an all-too-brief period of excellence with the 49ers organization. Eddie DeBartolo is another.

TIM

I saw an interview with rice a while back and he said that Walsh would have presented him if he were still with us.
The interviewer then told Rice that there was to be a video of Walsh shown during his ceremony(Walsh knew he would not be there ,so he made a video that could be played at the ceremony to honor Rice).When Rice heard about the video,he teared up and said it was the first he had heard about it.
Walsh was a great man,even in his last few months he was still thinking of others !

Raven

I wished it was official that Eddie D is back as the new owner of the 49ers!

Hey Eddie why don’t you buy the Raiders and show your nephew how to run a real championship football team.

alcatraz

number one-too many ego’s in niner land=no=unrealistic=ok?

Julie-Texas

When I was a kid Jerry Rice was the man to watch. He was the most smooth player and reciever to carry that ball all the way to the goal line. I miss watching him play. I also adore Michael Crabtree and when he got signed to play for the great 49’ers I was thrilled. I think with time, he will be a great or as great. Go 49ers

Absent GB’s cooperation — for the now seemingly paltry sum of $200,000 — Eddie D would be presenting all past/present inductees via videotape in very bad lighting with a very bad haircut.

Leonard Bonilla

Jerry Rice will be remembered in the same way Joe Montana is remembered by the 49er faithful. They will always be the measuring stick upon which all other 49er Revievers and Quarter Backs are measured. All head coaches will be measured up against Bill Walsh and the Owners will be measured up against Eddie D.

It should be a motivating element for all 49er players and caoches. It seems to me that Coach Singeltary is trying to shed Bill Walshes legacy because Walsh teams used to beat his bears like a drum. This is the year Singelatry should make the playoffs and this is the year Alex Smith must prove his worth. A failure by either is not acceptable.